Lu Fang felt the same.
For many years, both of them had believed the Yan family was always within their grasp. Destroying the Yan family, while not as simple as a decree, was not insurmountable. However, since Zhu Mo’s reforms, the scale and meticulous organization of the nationwide mobilization of gentry and officials twice or thrice had far surpassed that of Yang Tinghe and his son.
It could be said that the Yan family had actually lost.
Because if the Emperor did not reform, but merely replaced one person with another, then the empire would proceed according to Yan Song’s envisioned path. A second Yan Song, under Prince Yu, might achieve "hegemony" in five to six years, at most ten, and then complete the "seizure of soul," transforming the Great Ming from a public asset of all people into a private possession of a few.
It was precisely for this reason that so many events had unfolded over the past year, each one an arrow nocked and ready to fly.
Thinking of this, Lu Fang felt a touch of worry. Now that Yan Song had been removed from the "immortal ranks," would he be enraged and fight back like a cornered beast? What would his precious son stir up next?
He responded verbally:
"Your Majesty, this servant also feels it is rather late… but there are benefits to being late; the people can see the truth more clearly… Justice and righteousness reside in people’s hearts. No matter how he tries to cover the sky with one hand, he cannot completely obscure it…
This midday, all of Beijing is discussing how the Japanese pirates will finally be annihilated, and the Great Ming is finally regaining some of its former spirit… The common people are quite invigorated…"
Ha,
Jiajing gave a wry smile and said slowly:
"Where is there any public opinion in this world? The common people do not see who is right or wrong… they see who wins and who loses… Even if the situation is lively now, with everyone gloating over others' misfortune, a few days later, with any slight shift, the scene will change once more…"
He walked to the palace doors, gazing at the oppressive summer night sky. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something and said meaningfully:
"Lu Fang, how long has it been since I last paid homage to Confucius?"
Lu Fang had truly forgotten. It had been at least seven or eight years, if not ten. This was a significant matter. Emperor Taizu, despite his diligence and busy schedule, had never forgotten this. He immediately replied:
"This servant believes it has been about five or six years…"
Heh heh,
Jiajing laughed:
"Look at your memory! It has been thirteen years… In the twenty-seventh year of Jiajing, the Confucius Temple was rebuilt. Although I did not go, I performed the sacrifice in the palace…"
He let out a sigh and continued:
"Lu Fang, do you know which emperor was the first to pay homage to Confucius?"
"This, this servant is not very clear. Perhaps Emperor Wu of Han…"
Lu Fang did not understand why he had suddenly brought up this figure. After all, this was someone he intensely disliked.
Jiajing said slowly:
"I will tell you, and you would never guess… The first emperor to pay homage to Confucius was Emperor Gaozu of Han… In the sixth year of Han, after returning from suppressing Ying Bu, he passed by Qufu. He suddenly thought that kings of different surnames always rebel, and the people were confused. Thus, he remembered Confucius’s teachings… He used the grandest sacrificial rites reserved for Heaven to offer sacrifices to Confucius. That is why the Sage is also called the Uncrowned King…"
This…?
Lu Fang found it truly strange—
Emperor Gaozu of Han, everyone knew he detested Confucian scholars the most! That old rogue who urinated on Confucian hats was actually the first to pay homage to Confucius? And why did the Emperor suddenly bring this up?
Having been with Jiajing for forty years, their thoughts were often in sync. Seeing a flicker of worry in Jiajing’s expression, he understood—
The Emperor had kicked Yan Song out of the immortal ranks, and Yan Song would use the teachings of the Sages to retaliate, claiming the Emperor disrespected the Sage and that only the Yan family were the true guardians of the Sage’s Way…
Thinking of this, he also let out a hum and quickly said:
"This servant also understands. We can no longer wait to pay homage to Confucius… This servant suggests letting Prince Yu represent His Majesty? It has always been customary for the Crown Prince to perform the libation rites… This servant remembers that these libation rites were personally revised by His Majesty… That was in the tenth year of Jiajing, wasn't it? Later, with so many affairs, it was never done… Prince Yu has never been, has he?"
Jiajing nodded at this, feeling that Lu Fang was indeed his most loyal inner servant and friend. He sighed and said:
"It is now June. On the twenty-seventh of August, let Prince Yu perform the homage to Confucius on my behalf… You can issue an imperial edict to the Grand Secretariat, and let the Grand Secretariat announce it to the world… Lest someone starts to spread rumors…"
"This servant understands."
…
Several days later,
Ryukyu.
The tide rose after nightfall, and a two-masted ship docked near Shuri.
Chen Dong, a merchant from the Southern Seas, bearing a message from Zhang Jing, once again arrived at the office of the Portuguese East India Company stationed in Shuri.
Soza, who served as both fleet commander and Far East trade representative, had already invited the representatives of the Shuri Alliance from the previous meeting. The people had not changed: Zheng Jian’s son, Zheng Gui; Jin Xiaoyuan, a Confucian scholar under Yin Yuanheng; Mang Yinglong’s son, Mang Yingli; and the Ryukyuan Minister Mao Longxuan himself. However, the representative from Japan was replaced by Arima Harunobu, the nephew of Omura Sumitada.
Arima Harunobu was originally a minor daimyo of Hizen, and the Arima clan was considered the main branch of Omura. After Oda Nobunaga conquered Kyushu, he fled to Suruga Province, surrendered to the Imagawa clan, and became a fugitive. He made many efforts, urging Imagawa Yoshimoto to unite the various provinces to attack Oda and simultaneously rescue his uncle Omura Sumitada, who was trapped in Zhoushan. Upon receiving Soza’s invitation, he rushed over immediately.
Currently, although trade was still possible with Zhoushan Island, all merchants had to obtain a transit pass from Zhenhai Guard before landing. Before reaching Lichang, they had to undergo inspection at Daoshu Mountain, and only then were they allowed to disembark. It was the same for people on the island wanting to leave; they first had to apply for a transit pass at Daoshu Mountain before they could set sail. Ships without transit passes would be intercepted by the Ming navy once they approached the waters of Lichang.
Therefore,
The situation on the island was difficult for outsiders to ascertain. In the past few months, only a very small number of merchants had landed, and only legitimate merchants from the island could leave. If their identities were not verified, the Ming army would not let them pass.
At this moment,
Everyone was waiting for Chen Dong, who had just returned from Lichang, hoping that this great merchant from the Southern Seas could provide more intelligence.
Soza, after everyone had taken their seats, got straight to the point and said:
"Mr. Chen Dong, everyone has been waiting for you. Could you first tell us about the situation on the island? Hmm?"
Although Chen Dong was a great merchant from Luzon, he was originally from Fujian. In his youth, he had passed the imperial examinations, and over the years, he had become a major client of the Directorate of Manufacturing, thus he was able to move freely.
At this moment,
He knew that everyone present was eager. He replied directly:
"Everyone, I have just come from Lichang… Uh, I personally met Lord Omura Sumitada—"
"Is he alright?"
Before he finished speaking,
Arima Harunobu immediately asked loudly.
Chen Dong coughed and said, "Lord Harunobu, Lord Sumitada is fine. He only sustained some injuries, but nothing serious…"
Without looking at Harunobu, he continued addressing the others:
"Lord Sumitada said that Zhu Mo is too wicked… He has trapped everyone on the island. After his defeat, he intended to commit seppuku, but thinking of the many foreign merchants and his own samurai and ronin from various domains on the island, he endured the humiliation for their future…"